NYACS Launches 'Building Blocks' Education Event

TARRYTOWN, N.Y. – The New York Association of Convenience Stores (NYACS) will hold "Building Blocks for Neighborhood Retailers," a laboratory of learning, networking and product sourcing for retailers located in the Hudson Valley, metro New York and surrounding areas, on Tuesday, Dec. 3.

The one-day event is co-sponsored by Convenience Store News for the Single Store Owner, Altria Corp., McLane Co. and Swisher International Inc., and will take place at the DoubleTree Hotel in Tarrytown.

"In today's regulatory and competitive environment, success is really hard for independent operators to achieve, especially in New York State," said NYACS President Jim Calvin. "This event will provide practical knowledge, resources and contacts they can use to build their businesses."

"Building Blocks" will feature nearly a dozen free workshops for owners, operators and managers of convenience stores, gas stations, grocery stores, bodegas, newsstands, smoke shops, college stores and other retail formats during two time blocks: 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., and 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

CSNews for the Single Store Owner will present a workshop titled "Survival Skills for Single-Store Operators."

Other workshop topics include: "Maximizing Your Lottery Program;" "Preserving Your Right to Sell Tobacco;" "Managing Gas Station Environmental Compliance;" "Making the Candy Category Even Sweeter;" "Options for Complying With New York State's Generator Mandate;" "Risks and Rewards of Money Services;" and "Convenience Store 101" for newcomers to the industry.

Between the workshop blocks from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., attendees will be able to browse tabletop exhibits presented by leading c-store suppliers and service providers, and enter drawings every 10 minutes for cash prizes totaling $1,000.

Additional details and pre-registration are available by calling (800) 336-9227 or visiting www.nyacs.org.